Cap reinforcement



June 22, 1954 E. J. LIPSCHUTZ CAP REINFORCEMENT Filed May 21, 1955 INVENTOR. EMANUEL dl/PSCHUTZ ATTORNEY Patented June 22, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a reinforcing structure for a cap, and relates in particular to such a structure for a visor cap.

Visor caps, of the type worn by men in the Armed Forces, heretofore have been constructed without adequate stiffening so that after they have been worn for some time, the crown sags, and no longer presents a trim, smart appearance. The provision of suitable stiffening in such a cap has present-ed a problem because such caps are laundered or dry cleaned, and a circular stiffening material built into the crown would be deformed in the cleaning operation.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a removable stiffener for such caps, which will maintain the cap upright at all times, and is light and comfortable to wear.

Another object is the provision of a stiffening frame which is adjustable for various cap sizes.

The invention will be described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention applied to a visor cap which is illustrated in dot and dash lines;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating one type of reinforcin material;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line III-III of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional View showing how the reinforcement is inserted in a cap.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in dot and dash lines a visor cap I of conventional form. Within the cap is a frame or support designated generally at 2, comprising a crown band 3 made of a suitable stiff material, a base band l of stiff material and stiff vertical stays 5. Preferably the crown band, base band and stays are made of a commercially available material comprising spaced steel bands 6, 5' enclosed in a fabric wrapper I. As shown the crown band 3 forms a closed circle which is adjustable in periphery; and the base band 4 forms an open arc, the opening 8 being at the forward portion. A pair of stays 50:, 51) extend from adjacent the ends of the base band 4 to the crown band 3 and any desired number of stays 5 may be positioned therebetween, a total of five stays being shown. These stays are conveniently secured to the crown band and base band by hollow or eyelet rivets of known construction, which pass through the fabric wrapper between the steel strips 6, 6'.

If desired, the crown band may have its ends permanently joined to form a circle of fixed periphery. However as illustrated, one end of this band carries a clip, slide or buckle 9, shown as riveted to an end of the crown band and providing guide ways II and H to slidably receive the opposite end I! of the crown band. The 6 band is stiff enough so that when the frame is adjusted to accommodate a given hat, the band 2 remains in adjusted position by friction. Reinforcing frames of this type are sold separately from the cap, and, by reason of the adjustable feature it is not necessary to manufacture or stock diiferent sizes of frames for different head sizes.

The frame is assembled to the cap by turning out the inner flap or sweat band it, inserting the frame 2 with the crown band against the top [4 of the hat crown, and then folding over the flap 13 to contain the base band. It will be noticed this type of cap does not have a flap or sweat band along the visor and because the base band is interrupted or open across the front at 8, the base band cannot bear on the head of the wearer. Also, the band does not interfere with the opening or closing of the flap.

If desired the entire device may be constructed as a unitary structure or otherwise forming the device from a sheet, or by molding the device from suitable plastic or other material. In this connection, it should be pointed out that the openings or spacing between stays provides for ventilation when the cap is being worn.

I claim as my invention:

1. A reinforcing unit for a visor cap having an open inner band comprising: a circular crown supporting portion providing an upper edge extending continuously around the crown of the cap and including a narrow integral band adapted to extend as a span above the visor portion of the cap; a continuous arcuate anchor base portion adapted to be received in the inner band of the cap and being of a length to extend continuously from a point adjacent one end of the visor around said inner band to a point adjacent the other end of the visor and being open across the visor portion; and means extending around the anchor base portion integrally connecting said crown supporting portion and anchor base portion, said unit being constructed of resilient rigid material whereby said unit is readily insertable and removable from the inner band of the cap.

2. A unit as specified in claim 1 wherein: the ends of said crown band overlap at the span above the visor; and said band having means adjustably holding said ends in overlapped relation.

3. A unit as specified in claim 1 wherein: said means integrally connecting said crown supporting portion and said anchor base portion comprises spaced apart means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

